Rise Up, O Men of God!
Last Saturday night I had a dream. I have had similar dreams in the past, but never one having the impact that one has had on me. In this particular dream, I was preaching to a large room filled with nothing but men; no women, no children. It seemed that these men were what I will refer to as middle-age; perhaps 25 to 55 years in age.
When I first awoke I could remember what I was preaching, Scripture and all, but at the moment that memory has faded; I just remember the fervency and emotion of my preaching. However, the result of that preaching experience was hordes of men coming to Christ for the first time in their lives, and many, many more came to renew or rededicate themselves to the King of Glory!
The entire room was charged with the fire of Christ in men’s hearts to win their families, their cities, their states, and their nation away from evil and back to God. They were not arming themselves with anything more than the Word and the Love of God; His righteousness. Because they knew that is the only thing that will dispel the dark times we are in; nothing but the Light of Christ will do.
John Wesley said… “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.”
I am not at all saying that I had a prophetic dream, but more a directional, hope-filled message to me for my aging and troubled heart over America from my heavenly Father.
Since 1999, I have had literally hundreds of dreams about my being the main speaker in large churches or auditoriums for a huge event. However, there was always something that prevented me from ever speaking; such as lost Bible, or lost notes, and often could not even find my way from backstage to the stage. I always awoke frustrated. That is 22 years of never actually getting in the pulpit to deliver a message.
Last Saturday night I spoke! I heard me speak! Hundreds heard me speak! Better yet, they all responded to God’s message! They were enlisting into God’s army of faithful men to sway the hearts and minds of citizens back toward God and godly morals.
What could this mean? I will tell you what I sense. I believe the Eternal Sovereign God, Who is not bound by our time, but forever bound to His purposed plan, is saying to the men of this nation and in particular those called by His name, “if you will bow low and step up to do what I require of you, then I will do as I promised I would” (refer, 2 Chronicles 7:14). He waits. But, He will not wait forever. As it were, “the ball is in our court” “put up or shut up!”
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O men of God!
The Kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
Lift high the Cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
(William P. Merrill 1911-Public Domain)
Every man of God is responsible to God for obedience to the total Word of God, the Bible. Every man of God begins with you! With me! With every man we have influence toward. So, the instruction, direction, and righteous command this day is: “Rise Up, O Man of God,” and, make a difference; be a hero; Pray On!